Governor Josh Stein Announces $30 Million Public-Private Partnership
Governor Josh Stein Announces $30 Million Public-Private Partnership to Fund Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene
North Carolina Will Also Send $6 Million To Baptists on Mission, Habitat for Humanity to Aid Home Repair Projects
Today in Boone, Governor Josh Stein joined Dogwood Health Trust to announce a $30 million small business grant program to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and bolster economic recovery. Small businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million are eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 from the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program.
“Small businesses are the heart of western North Carolina and need our support to get through these slow winter months,” said Governor Josh Stein. “The Western North Carolina Small Business grant program will help small businesses with their urgent needs and support the region’s economic recovery. I am proud these state dollars are leveraging additional Dogwood Trust dollars, and I am grateful to Dogwood for its leadership.”
“As a private foundation committed to Western North Carolina’s health and wellbeing, Dogwood Health Trust created the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative last fall as part of our larger Helene relief efforts to provide grants to small businesses most impacted by the storm. These businesses are vital to the health of our communities,” said Dogwood President and CEO Dr. Susan Mims. “We are proud to expand our support alongside the state of North Carolina and encourage more philanthropic organizations to support this critical effort.”
Funds will be managed by Appalachian Community Capital, with the partnership of the Community Reinvestment Fund on the application process.
Eligible businesses can apply through the portal here.
Eligibility requirements are below:
- Businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million
- Businesses in the 28 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that are covered by President Biden’s federal disaster declaration or in Dogwood Health Trust’s 18-county footprint, including: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey.
READ MORE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
What does this mean for Watauga County & High Country businesses?
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A sincere thank you to Governor Josh Stein and his team for visiting the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce office for this afternoon’s press conference. Thank you to Sydney Gail Photography for today's photos. For additional photos from today's event, go here.